G11 Patterns in Environmental Quality and Sustainability

Notes

IB Assessment Statements

1. 1. Atmosphere and change:

• Describe the functioning of the atmospheric system in terms of the energy balance between solar and longwave radiation.
• Explain the changes in this balance due to external forcings (changes in solar radiation, changes in the albedo of the atmosphere and changes in the longwave radiation returned to space).
• Discuss the causes and environmental consequences of global climate change.

1. 2. Soil and change:

• Explain the causes of soil degradation.
• Discuss the environmental and socio-economic consequences of this process.
• Discuss ways to manage soil degradation.

1. 3. Water and change.

• Identify ways in which water is utilized at the regional scale.
• Examine the environmental and human factors affecting patterns and trends in physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity.
• Examine the factors affecting access to safe drinking water.

1. 4. Biodiversity and change:

• Explain the concept and importance of biodiversity in tropical rainforests. Examine the causes and consequences of reduced biodiversity in this biome.

1. 5. Sustainability and the environment.

• Define the concept of environmental sustainability.

Resources

Global Warming & Climate Change

Erosion

Soil

Assignments